Lock



Aug.` 5 1924,. 1,503,565 Y E. R. VIVES t Lock 'Filed Av1-11 21. 1923 2suyas-sheer 1 @L El all@ a #Commit Aug.- 5 1924.

1,503,565 E. R. VIVES LOCK Filed Avril 21. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e{kunnen} Patented Aug. 5, 1924..

UNITE@ srAres tenses PATENT orsica.

EDWARD R. VIVES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 VSDAL CREATIONS, INC.,OF i NEW YORK,.N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEVI YOBK LOCK.

Application led'Aprl 21, 1923. Serial No. 633,633.

To all who/rit may concer/IL.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD R. VIVE-s', Aa subject of the King of Spain,and a resident of New York, in the county ofjNew York aiid'itate of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful improvements ,in Locks, ofwhich the lfollowing is a specication. Y

This invention relates to locks and particularly to combination locks ofthe multiple-key type.

The object of my present invention is to produce a lock of the abovetype in which the combination can bey casi-ly and quickly changed, inwhich the number of possible combinations is practically unlimited, andin which the parts are comparatively few and easyl to manufacture. vA.further ob ject of this invention is to produce a lock which hasprovisions for adjustment to doors of different thicknesses. Otherobjects andl advantages of the invention will become apparenthereinafter. c

yReferring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practicalphysical embOdimento-f the invention:v

Figure l is an inside elevation of a door provided with a lockconstructed in accordance with my invention.V

Figure 21s a horizontal sectional 'View through the lock, showing avsuitable latch j adapted to cooperate therewith. 1

Figui-.e 3 is a vertical section through t-he lock and latch.

Figure @cis a Vvertical Ysectional view ofV the key operated `boltcontrolling mechanism, taken on the line M of Figure 2. j

Figure 5 is a view similar toFigure showing a key inserted.

Figure 6 is a face view of the key-hole` plate.

Figure 7 is a side vie-w of one of the com sectional view of cover platell is secured flush with the inner vsecuring the pla-te may pass.

face of the door over the casing, the cover plate extending beyond thecasing to form anges through which the Vfastening devices A bolt l2 ismounted in the casing and is adapted to be projected and retractedthrough a slot therein, Aas usual. Secured to yor formed with theV bodyof ibolt lO is an open rectangular extension l?)` which has a slidinglit with ythe upper and4 lower walls of .the casing. VThe end of thisextension is spaced from theV rear wall ofthe casing, and suitablesp-rings 14 are. interposed between the casing and bolt extensiontending to project .the bolt. Any suitable means may be employed forretracting the bolt after the correct combination has been made by in-vsertion ofthe proper key. The drawings illustrate for thisl purpose acainarin l5 bearing against the inner side of the bolt extension andsecured to a transverseshaftl i6 which projects on the outer side of thecover plate il andWeXte-nds through a slot formed in casing 10 and aslot inthe door registering therewith. T he outer portion of,

member 17 is slightly enlarged to form; shoulders lSawhich engage casingl0. The member V17 has machined therein a number of parallel 'bores A19of equal diameter all .Any desired number of bores may be einployed,.inso far asthe scope of my invention is concerned. The drawings illustratelive such bores, which number will probably be sulicient for allpractical pur` poses. Five holes are formed inthe cover plate 1l. Theseholes, which are designated b-y the reference numeral 20, have the samediameter-as that ofthe bores 19 and are locatedV in registrationtherewith. Secured against the inside of cover rplate 1l is arectangular memberQ/l, which has substantiah ly the same dimensions asmember 17, and is secured in alignment therewith. Memlber 21 has fivecylindrical sockets22 of the same diameter as that of bores 19 andhole-s 20 and located coaxially with said bores and holes. ln each ofthebores there is a combination plug 23, which may be of the Cil formillustrated by Figures 7 and 8. As shown, these plugs are cylindricaland have Va number of parallel longitudinal grooves Each of these smallplugs have Ya threaded pin projecting from one end and a threaded holetapped into its other end. The threaded pin is adapted to screw into ahole tapped into the end of grooved plug 23 or into a hole of anothersmall plug. Thus the grooved plugs may be extended by fastening on tothe outer ends thereof one or more of these small plugs. In Fig. 2 theplugs 23 are shown extended by one small plug. In the case of a thickerdoor, two or more plugs might be found necessary to extend to the outerside of the door, and where the door is thin enough to bring the outerend of a grooved plug 23 flush with the outer face of the door, noauxiliary plugs will be necessary. In each of the sockets 22 there is acoil spring 27 which bears against the inner end of the plug andnormally holds it against the inner face of the key hole plate 28. Thevkey-hole plate is provided with five apertures for insertion of the keyprongs, these apertures being located coaxially with bores 19 andsockets 22.

ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated, each plug 23 has ninegrooves and nine diainetrical holes. These diametrical holes each openat one end centrally of a groove, opening at the other end partly in onegroove and partly in the adjacent groove. This is shown in Fig. 8,wherein the diametrical hole opens at one end 29 centrally of a grooveand at its other end 30 partly in two grooves. The diametricai holes arearranged spirally around the plug, as illustrated by Fig. 7.

Formed in member 17 are live transverse apertures or holes 31, which arelocated in the same vertical plane and which intersect the centers ofbores 19. Projecting from the rear face of bolt 12 are five vpins 32which are located in alignment with the holes 31 and project thereinto.Gbviously the bolt cannot be retracted unless the conibination plugs 23are in such positions that.,

in each of said plugs, diaiiietrical holey thereof is in alignment withits associated pin 32. Then, and then only, can the pins 32 pass throughthe plugs and the bolt be retracted.

The combination of the lock depends upon the positions of thediametrical holes in the grooved plugs relatively to the pins 32 and,therefore, on the distances these plugs have to be pushed in by the keyprongs in order to bring the dian'ietrical holes therein in alignmentwith the pins.

Projecting inwardly from the periphery of each of the holes 2O in coverplate 1l there is a tooth 33 located in the horizontal plane passinOthrough its associated gin 32, this tooth being adapted to fit in thegrooves 24e of the plug and thus lock the latter against rotationalmovement while perinitting it to be reciproeated longitudinally. Hencethe tooth engaging in a groove of the plug holds the plug in a linedrotational position with the associated pin 32 pointing to the center ofthe groove engaged by the tooth. Since each groove has only onediainetrical hole opening centrally thereof, it is clear that for agiven rotational position of the plug there is only one longitudinalposition thereof where the vassociated pin can pass therethrough, viz,that position where the hole which opens centrally in that groove whichtooth 33 engages is in alignment with the pin. lf the plug is brought toa longitudinal position wherein the-associated pin is opposite holeswhich open only partly in the groove, the pin cannot pass. ln order thatfor a given rotational position of the plug there may not be more thanone longitudinal position where the associated pin can pass, the numberof grooves in the plug should be odd, for a plug having an even numberof grooves would have the diametrical holes thereof opening centrally oftwo diainetrically opposite grooves, and therefore for each plug therewould be two longitudinal positions thereof, for yeach of its ninerotational positions, in which the associated pin couldA pass.

The combination of the lock, as heretofore stated, depends upon thepositions of theV diametrical holes in the combination plugs relativelyto the pins 32. rlherefore, in order to change the combination, it isonly necessary to rotate one plug through an angle of one groove, rthusbringing the next groove opposite the associated pin. This would changethe combination, since the diametrieal hole of said next groove islocated at a different position with respect to said pin, requiring theplug to be moved longitudinally a different distance in order to bringthe hole in alignment with the pin. Since there are live plugs and ninerotational positions of each plug, it will be readily appreciated thatlthe number of possible combinations is ver;r great.

In order to permit the plugs to be set in. different rotationalpositions in the bores without necessitating the disassembling of thelock, each plug has formed adjacent its outer Yend the annular groove,25, previously referred to. Hence when the member 2l has been removed,the plugs may be ro- .tated to new positions by withdrawing theminwardly until the grooves 25 are opposite the teeth 83, whereupontheymay berotated selected grooves.

to any desired positions and then pushed into the bores with the teeth3S engaging the The memberV `21 .is se.- cured by headed cyilndricalnuts 34, which are screwed on the projecting ends of threaded boltsattached to the key hole plate 28 vand projecting through the` casing10,

ll and through holes in end yflanges 3G formed on member 2l. The. member2l, therefore, is removed simply by miscrewilig the nuts 34.

Latch mechanism operable from inside the door is provided to coact withthe bolt mechanism above described. The latch illustrated is mounted ina casing 37 which is secured in a recess in the jambfof the door. VItconsists of a body portion 38 slid- .able vertically in casing 27 andformed with upwardly projecting bolt engaging members 39 and e0. A. coilspring 4l, bearing at one end against the bottom of casing 37 and at itsother end against the top of a recess :formed in the underside; of body28,. yieldingly holds the latch in its upper or normal position. TheupwardY movement' of the latch is limited by a horizontal plate formedintegrally with the face plate of casing 27 and engagingthe latchbetween the membersA 39 and .40. The outer\face of mem-.-

ber 40l has a cam formation so that the latch will Abe cammed downwardlyby bolt 10 whenthe door is shut. kThe door can be opened from the insideby manipulating a knurled head having a Vshank attached to member 40 l'and projecting through a vertical slotrin casing 37k. The door can thusbe opened from the inside by any one,.ibut can only be opened from theoutside byk a key corresponding to the particular combination for whichthe klock is set.y o

`Now havingV particularly described one embodiment of myinventionwithout, how- Hever, intending to limit the scope oftheoinvention to the specific structure disclosed,

`what I kclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States 1s;

lock, thecombination with the bolt, of controlling mechanism thereforcomprising a plurality of plugs mounted to reciprocate longitudinally inpaths transverse to said bolt, said bolt having `a plurality of pinsprojecting in lines which intersect said plugs, each of said plugshaving a plurality of holes adapted to bebrought into alignmentwith'said pins, said holes being longitudinallyV and -circumferentiallyspaced along-said plugmeans for fiX-ingeach of 'Y said plugs -in aplurality of rotational positions to bring .any selected hole thereofinto cooperation with its associated pin, and springs holding said plugsin normal longitudinal positions.

2. In a lock, the combination with the bolt, ofk controlling mechanismtherefor comprising a vplurality of plugs mounted to reciprocatelongitudinally in paths transverse to saidbolt, said bolt having aplurality of pins projecting in lines which inter- Vsaid bolthaving'a'plurality of pins projecting in lines which intersect thelongitudinal axes of said plugs, each of said plugs having a pluralityof holesv passing diametrically therethrough and adapted tof be broughtinto alignment with said pins, said holes being arranged spirallyaroundsaid` plug, means for fixing said plugs in a pluselected hole thereofinto coo-peration with` its associated pin, said plugs being biased toassume aV definite normal position, and ay key having a plurality ofprongs adapted to move said .plugs longitudinally to bring the holesthereof intoalignment with said pins to permit retraction of the bolt.

Vrality of rotational positions to bring any ico,

4. InV -aV lock, the ,combination with the bolt, ,of controllingmechanism therefor comprising a plurality of plugs mounted toreciprocate in paths transverse to said bolt, said bolt havingaplurality of pins projecting in lines whiclrintersect the longitudinalaxes of said plugs, each of said plugs having an odd number of parallellongitud- Ydinal grooves and having diametrical holes adapted to bebrought into alignment with VYsaid pins, each of said holes opening atone end centrallyV in a groove rand at its other end partly in adjacentgroves, each groove having only one hole opening centrally therein' andrsaid grooves being arranged spirally around said plug, means for fixingsaid plugs in a number of rotational positions corresponding to the'number of grooves therein` to bring any selected hole thereof Vintocooperation with the associated pin,

said plugs being biased to assume a definite normal position, and a keyhaving a plurality of prongs adapted tol move said plugs longitudinallyto bring the `holes thereof into alignment with said pins to permitretraction of the bolt.

5 KA lock comprising a flat rectangular casing having a front plateprovided With an opening, a bolt reciprocably mounted in said casingprojecting through said openinO, said bolt having an open rectangularextension in said casing, a spring between the end of said extension andthe end ivall ot said casing tending to project said bolt, a flatrectangular block extending through said casing at right angles to saidbolt and embraced by said rectangular extension, said block projectingon the outer side or' said casing and extending flush against the innerWall ot' the inner side ot' said casing, said `block having a pluralityof parallel bores extending completely therethrough and Said inner plateof the casing having a plurality of holes registering with said bores, abloc-k removably secured to the outside of said inner plate having aplurality or' sockets registering with said holes, a key hole platesecured against the outer end of said irst mentioned block having aplurality of holes communicating With said bores, a plug in each borehaving anA oddr number of peripheral parallel longitudinal grooves, saidplug having a corresponding number of diametrical holes, there being oneand only one hole opening centrally in each groove and said holes beinglongitudinally spaced along said plug, springs in said sockets normallyholding said plugs against said key-hole plate, said block havingtransverse apertures intersecting the centers ot said bores, a pluralityot' pins lixed. to said bolt and vprojecting in alignment with saidapertures, means tor fixing said plugs in a plurality or' rotational1positions to bring selec-ted holes thereof into cooperation With saidpins, a key having a plurality ot pins adapted to be inserted throughsaid key-hole plate to move Said plugs.

6. A lock comprising a flat rectangular casing having a front plateprovided. With an opening, a bolt reciprocably mounted in said casingprojecting through said opening, a flat rectangular block extendingthrough said casing at right angles to said bolt, said block projectingon the outer side of said casing and extending flush againsttlie innerWall or' the inner side of said casing, said block having plurality ofparallel bores extending completely therethrough and said inner plate otthe casing having a plurality ofi holes registering with said bores, ablock removably secured to the outside ot said inner plate having aplurality ol sockets registering with said holes, a key hole platesecured against the outer end et said lirst mentioned block having aplurality ot holes communicating with said bores, a plug in each borehaving a plurality of diametrical holes circumferentially andlongitudinally spaced, springs in said sockets normally holding saidplugs against said key-hole plate, said block having transverseapertures intersecting the centers ot' said bores, a plurality of pinsiixed to said bolt and projecting in alignment vvith said apertures,means for fixing said plugs in a plurality of rotational positions tobring selected holes thereof parallel to said apertures, and a keyhaving a plurality ot pins adapted to'be inserted through said key-holeplate to move said plugs.

7. A lock comprising a casing provided with an opening, a boltreciprocably mounted in said casing projecting through said opening, ablock extending through said casing at right angles to said, bolt, saidblock projecting on the outer side of said casing kand extending flushagainst the inner Wall of the inner side of said casing, said blockhaving a plurality of parallel bores exte .ding completely therethroughand said inner plate of the casing having a plurality ot holesregistering With said bores, a block removably secured to the outside ofsaid inner plate havinga plurality of sockets f registering with saidholes, a key hole plate secured against the outer end of said firstmentioned 'block having a plurality of holes communicating Withsaidbores, a plug in each bore having a plurality of diametrical holes cicuinlerentially and longitudinally spaced, springs in, said socketsholding said plugs against said key-hole plate, said block havingtransverse apertures intersecting the centers of said bores, a pluralityof pins .tixed to said bolt and projecting in alignnient with saidapertures, means for fixing said plugs in a plurality of rotationalpositions to bring selected holes thereof parallel to said apertures,and a key having a plurality of pins adapted to be inserted through saidkey-hole plate to move said plugs.

8. A lock comprising a casing provided with an opening, a boltreciprocably mounted in said casing projecting through said opening, ablock extending through said casing transverse to said bolt, said blockprojecting onthe outer side of said casing and extending i'iush againstthe inner Wall of the inner side of said casing, said block having aplurality of parallel holes extending completely therethrough and theinner plate of A the casing having a plurality of apertures? registeringWith said holes, a plug in each of said holes comprising a main portionhaving a plurality ot diametrical holes cirkcumferentially andlongitudinally spaced and a relatively short detachable portion, akey-hole plate adapted to be secured against the outer face of theclosure. to which the lock is applied having a plurality of holesadapted to communicate with the holes in said block, a second blockhaving a plurality of sockets registering With the apertures in saidinner plate, springs in said sockets holding said plugs against saidkey-hole plate, said first mentioned block having transverse aperturesintersecting the axes of the holes therein, la plurality of pins fixedto said bolt With an opening, a bolt reciprocably mounted in said casingprojecting through'said open` ing, a block extending into said casingtransverse to said bolt, said block projecting on the outer side of saidcasing and having a plurality of parallel holes transverse to saidcasing, a plug in each of said holes comprising a main portion having aplurality of diametrical holes circumferentially and longitudinallyspaced and a relatively short detachable portion, a key-hole plateadapted to be secured against the outer face of the closure to Which thelock is applied having a plurality of holes communicating with the holesin said block, resilient means for holding said plugs against. saidkey-hole plate, said block having transverse apertures intersecting theholes therein, a plurality of pins fixed to `said bolt and projecting inalignment With said apertures, means for fixing said plugs in aplurality of rotational positions to bring selected holes thereofparallel to said apertures, and a key having a plurality of pins adaptedto be inserted through said key-hole plate to move said lu s. p l A lockcomprising a casing provided .vith an opening, a bolt reciprocablyymounted in said casing projecting through said open- Y ing, a blockextending into said casing transverse to said bolt, said blockprojecting on the outer side of said casing and having a plurality lofparallel holes extending translversely to said casing, a plug in each ofsaid holes having a plurality of diametrical holes circumferentially andlongitudinally spaced,

a key hole plate adapted to be securedy against the outer face of theclosure tok Which the lock is applied having a plurality of holescommunicating the holes of said block, resilient means for holding saidplugs against said key hole plate, said'block having transverseapertures intersecting the holes therein, a plurality of pins fixed tosaid bolt and projecting in alignment with said apertures, means forfixing said plugs in a plurality of rotational positions to bringselected holes thereof parallel to said apertures, and a key having aplurality of pins adapted to be inserted through said keyhole plate, tomove said plugs.

11. A lock comprising a casing provided with an opening, a boltreciprocably mounted in said casing projecting through said opening, ablock extending into said casing transverse to said bolt, said blockprojecting on the outer side of said casing and havinga plurality ofparallel holes extending transversely to said casing, a plug in Veach ofsaid holes having a plurality of dia- 'inetrical holes circumferentiallyand longitudinally spaced, a key-liole plate adapted to be securedagainst the outer face ofthe closure to which the lock is applied havinga plurality of holes communicating with the holes of said' block, saidplugs being biased to rest normally against said key hole plate, saidblock'having transverse apertures intersecting the holes therein, aplurality of pinsfixed to said bolt projecting in alignment with saidapertures, means for fixing said plugs ina plurality of rotationalpositions to bring selected holes thereof parallel to said apertures,and a key having a plurality of pins adapted to be inserted through lsaid key-hole plate to move saidV plugs.

l2. A lock comprising a casing provided with an'opening, a boltreciprocably mounted in Vsaid casing projecting through said opening, ablock extending into said casing transverse to said bolt, said blockprojecting on the outer side of said casing and having a plurality ofkholes extending transversely to said bolt, a plug in each of said holeshaving a' plurality of transverse holes circumferentially andlongitudinally spaced, a key hole plate adapted to be secured againstthe outer face of the closure to which the lock is applied having aplurality of holes communicating with the holes of said bloclnsaid plugsbeing biased to rest normally against said key-hole plate, said blockhaving transverse apertures intersectving the holes therein, a pluralityof pins prising a plurality of elongated members mounted to reciprocatelongitudinally in paths transverse to said bolt, saidbolt having aplurality of pins projecting in lines Which intersect said members, eachof said members 'being constructed to permit the passage of itsassociated pin only in certain longitudinal and rotational or angularpositions thereof, and means for fixing each of said members in aplurality of angular positions, said members being biased to assumedefinite normal longitudinal positions.

EDWARD n. vivas.

